In the tavern, Uchiha Sora and Tsunade drank cup after cup.
Drinking was hardly unfamiliar to Uchiha Sora.
He had drunk with Tsunade in that other world too, but back then, Karin had been with him, and Shizune had accompanied Tsunade.
Now that the two of them were drinking alone, there was a different sort of atmosphere.
Uchiha Sora knew Tsunade felt somewhat lost, troubled by how she could return.
So he kept her company, drinking and chatting with her.
They talked about many things. When the subject of returning came up, Uchiha Sora told her that as long as he grew stronger, he would surely find a way back.
Then they discussed what would happen if they could not return. Tsunade planned to go live with the Senju Clan and stick with her grandfather, Hashirama Senju.
Speaking of Hashirama Senju, Tsunade told him plenty of stories from her childhood, such as how Hashirama Senju had taken her gambling, and how, after she became hooked, she lost every bet she made.
Eventually, Tsunade got drunk and slumped over the table, barely conscious, mumbling all sorts of things.
Some were about her younger brother, and others were about Dan.
As she rambled on, she even began to cry.
Uchiha Sora nudged her, trying to wake her, but the drunken Tsunade threw herself into his arms and clung tightly to him.
As she held him, she kept mumbling all sorts of things in her sleep.
Uchiha Sora struggled several times to push her away, but Tsunade was so strong that none of his attempts worked.
In the end, he had no choice but to let Tsunade hold him.
They sat embracing in the tavern. Breathing in Tsunade's scent, Uchiha Sora felt a tangle of emotions he could not name.
He could not